Hail Merry, Dallas, welcomes food industry leader Rick Roberts to its executive team as COO. In this newly created position, Roberts joins founder Susan O’Brien and CEO Sarah Palisi Chapin in setting strategic direction for the company and accelerating Hail Merry’s national expansion.

Roberts is responsible for overseeing operations involving many aspects of Hail Merry’s corporate and manufacturing functions. His corporate responsibilities include overseeing accounting, information systems, human resources, operations, quality assurance, purchasing and logistics. His role also encompasses all aspects of manufacturing desserts and snacks from the company’s state-of-the-art commercial kitchen in Dallas, which is certified gluten-free, non-GMO and vegan.

Roberts comes to Hail Merry from Gourmet Cuisine, where he was vice president. He also has worked with H. E. Butt Grocery Co. (H-E-B) as director of perishable operations—manufacturing and served on the company’s manufacturing strategic leadership team.